Pardew: 'I Didn't Want Forster To Leave Newcastle!'

13 November 2013 02:06

The Hexham-born shot-stopper has gone from strength to strength since heading for Parkhead on loan two years earlier. His performances in the Champions League have propelled him in to Roy Hodgson’s England squad.

Alan Pardew: “Let’s get one thing straight about Fraser, we didn’t want to lose him.

“But Fraser was absolutely adamant that he wanted first-team football and we couldn’t provide him with that.

“Obviously, you can’t play two goalkeepers – that’s a bit tricky – and at the time, we just felt that Tim had the edge.

"Since then, there’s no doubt that Fraser has progressed at Celtic. I thought it was a great move for him because it’s opened the door to a lot of European football.

"He’s done terrific in a lot of those games.

“He’s such a big frame in the goal, and that’s probably his biggest asset. He can reach right into the corners of the goal to make fabulous saves when other goalkeepers might struggle to get up there.

“We’re all chuffed for him because we really liked him as a guy.

"Unfortunately, it was just a case of the timing not really working out. Timing and circumstances in life is what it’s all about, and things have worked out well for him.

“I only had him for a short period, but he was always a confident guy, very assured about his ability. I think he’s a very intelligent boy and that will stand him in good stead if he is selected to play for England at some stage.”